We’re excited to share that we’ve launched the updated YouthSpark Hub – an online resource from Microsoft to help youth gain skills, prepare for jobs or even start their own business. As Lisa Brummel, executive vice president, Human Resources, shared at We Day, “the YouthSpark Hub is a place where young people can go to get free resources and programs to help them imagine and create a better future.”

With direct input and feedback from youth, we did a complete overhaul of the Hub to make sure our resources met their needs. We also wanted to help young people get a clearer view of specific programs and resources Microsoft offers that may benefit them based on skills they want to develop or future aspirations they want to pursue.

The Hub offers opportunities to explore careers, a calendar of YouthSpark events, and a special “skills” section where you can drag and drop the skills you want to learn – from building an app to understanding a database – and be directed to the specific Microsoft resources that can help you get there. To get started, youth of all ages can select the “Participate in a YouthSpark Program” feature to browse more than 30 no-cost and low-cost programs that provide educational, employment, and entrepreneurial resources and support.

In addition, the YouthSpark Hub now features a special section for teachers with additional resources to help them support the young people they work with.